System and method for countering drones

ABSTRACT

In accordance with various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a system, apparatus and method is configured to receive/process radio frequency emanations of a potentially threatening drone to generate therefrom a human-recognizable audio signal characteristic of the drone (i.e., a “voice” of the drone) so that a warfighter may be alerted to the activity of the drone and respond accordingly.

GOVERNMENT INTEREST

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or forthe Government of the United States for all governmental purposeswithout the payment of any royalty.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates to unmanned vehicles (UVs) or drones and,more specifically, to the detection and rapid deployment ofcountermeasures associated with such UVs.

BACKGROUND

There exists a need for light ground forces to be able to counteractsmall weaponized semi-autonomous aircraft, ground vehicles and the likesuch as weaponized small commercial drones. Currently availableelectronic warfare systems do not meet this need due to their size,weight, power requirements and/or expert knowledge required to operatethem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various deficiencies in the prior art are addressed below by thedisclosed systems, methods, architectures, mechanisms, apparatus and thelike configured to receive/process radio frequency emanations of apotentially threatening drone to generate therefrom a human-recognizableaudio signal characteristic of the drone (i.e., a “voice” of the drone)so that a warfighter may be alerted to the activity of the drone andrespond accordingly.

Various embodiments contemplate the use of a small parabolic dishantenna for supporting manual or automatic direction-find (DF) actionsin a manner familiar to a warfighter; namely, by noting a rise instrength of the audible signal as the dish points more directly at thedrone such as known from targeting systems that produce “tone” whenlocked on. Various embodiments enable subsequent warfighter action suchas transmitting a jamming signal through the dish (e.g., using signalssynthesized based on the parameters obtained during the voice modulationprocess). Various embodiments provide distinctive “voices” to differentdrones to facilitate tracking discrimination (human or automated).

An apparatus supporting rapid assessment of unmanned vehicles (UVs)according to one embodiment comprises an antenna, for receiving a radiofrequency (RF) signal associated with one or more unmanned vehicles; aradio frequency input module, for converting the received radiofrequency signal into a corresponding audio frequency (AF) signal; andan audio processing module, for processing the audio frequency signal toprovide an audio output signal configured to generate an audible outputsignal through an output device, wherein properties of the generatedaudible output signal correlate with properties of the received radiofrequency signal such that a user can audibly ascertain the location ofa first unmanned vehicle.

The present invention may include an apparatus supporting rapidassessment of an unmanned vehicle, comprising an antenna, for receivinga radio frequency signal associated with one or more unmanned vehicles.The present invention may further include a radio frequency inputmodule, for converting the received radio frequency signal into acorresponding audio frequency signal; and an audio processing module,for processing the corresponding audio frequency signal to provide anaudio output signal, further configured to generate the audible outputsignal through an output device, wherein properties of the audibleoutput signal correlate with properties of the radio frequency signalsuch that a user can audibly ascertain the location of a first unmannedvehicle, the first unmanned vehicle being capable of receiving at leastone unmanned vehicle control signal.

The present invention may further include properties of the audibleoutput signal correlate with properties of the radio frequency signalsuch that a user can audibly ascertain a direction of travel of thefirst unmanned vehicle. The present invention may further includeproperties of the audible output signal correlate with properties of theradio frequency signal such that a user can audibly ascertain a globalpositioning system (GPS) position of the first unmanned vehicle. Thepresent invention may further include properties of the audible outputsignal correlate with properties of the radio frequency signal such thata user can audibly ascertain at least one of a location and direction oftravel of one or more additional unmanned vehicles. The presentinvention may further include properties of the audio output signalcomprise at least one of pitch, timbre and duration. The presentinvention may further include wherein the antenna is a directionalantenna configured to provide increasing gain to the received radiofrequency signal as the antenna is directed toward the unmannedvehicles.

The present invention may further include wherein the antenna comprisesany of a hand-held parabolic antenna, helical antenna, Yagi-Uda antennaand a phased array antenna. The present invention may further includewherein the antenna includes an angle adjustment capability. The presentinvention may further include wherein the audio processing modulecomprises frequency adaptation components configured to adjust aspectral profile of the audio output signal. The present invention mayfurther include wherein the frequency adaptation components comprise atleast one of an audio filter configured to limit a spectral range of thecorresponding audio frequency signal, an audio equalizer configured toadjust power levels of each of a plurality of spectral regions and anaudio amplifier. The present invention may further include wherein thefrequency adaptation components further comprise an auto-tune moduleconfigured to shift individual frequency components to a closestconfigured frequency bin.

The present invention may further include wherein the radio frequencyinput module includes a radio frequency demodulator configured toextract an intermediate frequency signal associated with one or morespectral regions associated with unmanned vehicle control signals, and afrequency divider configured to generate the audio frequency signalusing the intermediate frequency signal. The present invention mayfurther include a radio frequency output module, for generating a radiofrequency output signal in response to the corresponding audio frequencysignal, the radio frequency output signal being configured fortransmission toward the first unmanned vehicle, via the antenna tointerfere with the at least one unmanned vehicle control signal.

The present invention may further include wherein the radio frequencyoutput module is operative to forward the radio frequency output signalto the antenna in response to a trigger signal. The present inventionmay further include comprising at least one of a radio frequencycirculator and a diplexer for coupling the forwarded radio frequencyoutput signal to the antenna. The present invention may further includecomprising a radio frequency oscillator configured to provide ademodulation tuning frequency for the radio frequency input module and asynthesizer frequency for the radio frequency output module such thatthe radio frequency output signal comprises a carrier frequency havingmodulated thereon a signal conforming to a spectral envelope associatedwith the one or more spectral regions associated with unmanned vehiclecontrol signals.

The present invention may further include a radio frequency outputmodule, for generating a radio frequency output signal in response to atleast one of the radio frequency signal and the audio frequency signal,the radio frequency output signal being configured for transmissiontoward the unmanned vehicle via the antenna to interfere with the atleast one first unmanned vehicle control signal. The present inventionmay further include a user interface comprising a presentation deviceand a parabolic antenna mounted to a primary weapon system. The presentinvention may further include a recorder configured to record at leastone of the audio frequency signal and the audio output signal.

The present invention may further include wherein the recorder isfurther configured to record one or more of time stamp information,location information, received radio frequency signal characterizinginformation, output radio frequency signal characterizing information,antenna orientation, unmanned vehicle direction information, unmannedvehicle control channel information and unmanned vehiclenon-control-channel information.

The present invention may further include the apparatus wherein therecorder is further configured to record one or more of videoinformation pertaining to the unmanned vehicle, encryption informationpertaining to unmanned vehicle control signaling, GPS information andlocal time information. The present invention may further include theapparatus further comprising a network interface configured tocommunicate with a network, the network interface being operativelycoupled to the recorder to transmit information stored therein. Thepresent invention may further include wherein the apparatus is housedwithin a handle portion of a portable parabolic antenna.

The present invention may further include wherein the apparatus furthercomprises a data port operative to enable data transfer between theapparatus and communications devices.

The present invention may further include a method supporting rapidassessment of unmanned vehicles. The method including receiving a radiofrequency signal associated with one or more unmanned vehicles;converting the radio frequency signal into a corresponding audiofrequency signal; and processing the audio frequency signal to providean audio output signal configured to generate an audible output signalthrough an output device, wherein properties of the audible outputsignal correlate with properties of the radio frequency signal such thata user can audibly ascertain a location of a first unmanned vehicle.

The present invention may further include a system supporting rapidassessment of unmanned vehicles. The system including a directionalantenna, mounted on a primary weapons platform, for receiving a radiofrequency signal associated with one or more unmanned vehicles; a radiofrequency input module, for converting the received radio frequencysignal into a corresponding audio frequency signal; and an audioprocessing module, for processing the audio frequency signal to providean audio output signal configured to generate an audible output signalthrough an output device, wherein properties of the audible outputsignal correlate with properties of the radio frequency signal such thata user can audibly ascertain a location of a first unmanned vehiclechanging a targeting direction of the directional antenna wherein thetargeting direction is toward the moving unmanned vehicle.

Additional objects, advantages, and novel features of the invention willbe set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of thefollowing or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectsand advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means ofthe instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in theappended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the presentinvention and, together with a general description of the inventiongiven above, and the detailed description of the embodiments givenbelow, serve to explain the principles of the present invention.

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of a system according to one embodiment;

FIG. 2 depicts a flow diagram of a method according to an embodiment;and

FIG. 3 depicts a high-level block diagram of a computing device suitablefor use in various embodiments.

It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarilyto scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of variousfeatures illustrative of the basic principles of the invention. Thespecific design features of the sequence of operations as disclosedherein, including, for example, specific dimensions, orientations,locations, and shapes of various illustrated components, will bedetermined in part by the particular intended application and useenvironment. Certain features of the illustrated embodiments have beenenlarged or distorted relative to others to facilitate visualization andclear understanding. In particular, thin features may be thickened, forexample, for clarity or illustration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description and drawings merely illustrate the principlesof the invention. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in theart will be able to devise various arrangements that, although notexplicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of theinvention and are included within its scope. Furthermore, all examplesrecited herein are principally intended expressly to be only forillustrative purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principlesof the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventors tofurthering the art, and are to be construed as being without limitationto such specifically recited examples and conditions. Additionally, theterm, “or,” as used herein, refers to a non-exclusive or, unlessotherwise indicated (e.g., “or else” or “or in the alternative”). Also,the various embodiments described herein are not necessarily mutuallyexclusive, as some embodiments can be combined with one or more otherembodiments to form new embodiments.

The numerous innovative teachings of the present application will bedescribed with particular reference to the presently preferred exemplaryembodiments. However, it should be understood that this class ofembodiments provides only a few examples of the many advantageous usesof the innovative teachings herein. In general, statements made in thespecification of the present application do not necessarily limit any ofthe various claimed inventions. Moreover, some statements may apply tosome inventive features but not to others. Those skilled in the art andinformed by the teachings herein will realize that the invention is alsoapplicable to various other technical areas or embodiments.

The various embodiments provide light ground forces with a small,lightweight, power efficient, intuitive, effective, and easy-to-use toolfor mitigating improvised weaponized drones. The embodiments address theneed for light ground forces to be able to counteract small weaponizedsemi-autonomous aircraft, ground vehicles and the like such asweaponized small commercial drones.

Generally speaking, in accordance with various embodimentsradiofrequency emanations of a target drone are modulated into theaudible range giving a “voice” to the drone. Spread spectrum, frequencyhopping and other characteristics of the signal create intuitivelyrecognizable patterns that ground forces can rapidly interpret in amanner similar to that of interpreting the voices of friendly forces andenemy forces. Further, although friendly forces and enemy forces may usesimilar hardware and software (e.g., such as with commercial drones),the actual use of the drones is typically different in terms of tacticsemployed and the like such that drone operator inputs can vary to createpatterns that can be recognized as friendly or enemy. It is noted that adifferentiation between friendly and enemy drones may be provided viauser configurable options in the drone software, firmware, hardware andthe like such as software/firmware applications, flash memory,programmable read only memory, switch settings and the like.

In more detail, an isotropic receiver antenna is used to detect droneactivity. Filters and amplifiers limit the signal to those relevant tothe threat class of drones. Once the user is alerted to drone activity,he or she employs a small parabolic dish antenna to manuallydirection-find (DF) the source. The strength of the signal willcorrespond to a rise in volume of the audible signal similarly to howother targeting systems produce “tone” when locked on. Based on theaudible signal created by the drone, the operator uses his judgment todetermine if it sounds threatening or not. In the case that it isthreatening, the operator has the option to seek cover, or activate ajamming signal. The signal is transmitted through the dish that remainsaimed by maximizing the produced tone. The jamming signal is synthesizedbased on the parameters obtained during the voice modulation process.This would take into account that fact that the downlink signal couldhave a different format than control signals. Furthermore to make thedrone voices more recognizable, intelligent pitch shifting can beapplied to the audible signal. This would be similar to the “auto-tune”device used for musical recordings. An audio recorder would be used tocollect a record of all observations made.

Thus, various embodiments operate to translate radio frequencyemanations from a drone or drone controller to an audio signal (“voice”)so that a warfighter may quickly determine that a threat exists, wherethe threat is and what should be done about it.

Advantageously, the various embodiments provide an information-richaudio signal including audio spectrum components characteristic ofspecific drone types, control signal types and the like, these audiospectrum components being well suited for rapid analysis by a warfighteror an audio processing device (e.g., a digital signal processor (DSP)configured to identify specific audio characteristics and respondaccordingly). Further, by processing the relevant drone-relatedinformation at audio frequency levels, the complexities of radiofrequency processing are avoided. That is, an radio frequency mixer andfrequency divider operate to convert drone-related information withinthe radio frequency spectrum energy (i.e., drone emanations, controlsignals and the like) into audio spectrum information which is thenprocessed to provide an audio signal having characteristics associatedwith the particular type of drone, its emanations, its control signalsand the like. Various embodiments contemplate that unmannedvehicle-related information may be derivable at different layers ofradio frequency-based communication protocols and protocol stacks,including those associated with control signals, sensor data links,telemetry links and their various frequencies, bandwidths, modulationschemes, coding schemes, error correction schemes, encryption schemesand the like.

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of a system according to one embodiment.Specifically, the system 100 of FIG. 1 may be implemented as a manportable system enabling a war fighter to identify one or moreapproaching drones or related threats, determine a direction associatedwith the identified drones/threats and initiate countermeasures to theidentified drones/threats.

The system 100 of FIG. 1 generally comprises a directional antenna 110configured to receive radiofrequency (RF) emanations such as telemetrysignals, sensor data, control signals RF_(CON) and the like 105associated with at least one unmanned vehicle 101 and/or unmannedvehicle ground controller/transmitter 102 (e.g., 2.4 GHz+/−100 MHz) andprovide received radio frequency input signal RF_(IN) to radio frequencyinput processing circuitry. The radio frequency emanations may bereceived directly from a unmanned vehicle 101 or unmanned vehiclecontroller 102, or indirectly such as via a scattering of the groundtransmitted signal from the unmanned vehicle to an antenna of the system100.

The radio frequency input processing circuitry is configured to performvarious processing functions for down-converting drone-related radiofrequency information to corresponding drone-related audio information.The drone-related audio information is processed by audio processingcircuitry configured to provide temporal and/or spectral processing ofthe drone-related audio information such that an audio signal may bepresented to a warfighter/user (e.g., via a headset) enabling the userto “hear” information pertaining to the position, velocity, direction oftravel and/or other characteristics of one or more drones from whichradio frequency emanations and/or related radio frequency controlsignaling have been received. In various embodiments, radio frequencyoutput processing circuitry is configured to provide an output radiofrequency signal RF_(OUT) suitable for use by drone countermeasuresystems and other command and control systems (e.g., an radio frequencyoutput signal comprising a carrier frequency having modulated thereon asignal conforming to a spectral envelope associated with one or morespectral regions associated with unmanned vehicle control signals). Invarious embodiments, a user interface is provided to enable awarfighter/user to control various aspects of the system, adjustprocessing parameters, receive presented audio information and so on.Various embodiments contemplate receiving signals from both the unmannedvehicle and the control station either directly of via bistaticscattering from the unmanned vehicle. In various embodiments, the userinterface comprises a presentation device (e.g., touch screen computerdisplay and the like) mounted with a parabolic antenna such as to aprimary weapon system.

As depicted herein, the radio frequency input processing circuitrycomprises radio frequency circulator (or diplexer) 121, filter 122,radio frequency amplifier 123, radio frequency mixer 124, radiofrequency oscillator 125 and frequency divider 130. It is noted thatother radio frequency input processing configurations suitable for usein performing the relevant radio frequency input processing functions asdescribed herein are also contemplated by the inventors.

As depicted herein, the audio processing circuit comprises audio filter141, audio equalizer 142, auto tuner 143, audio amplifier 144 and/orrecorder 150. It is noted that other processing circuitry suitable foruse in performing the relevant audio processing functions as describedherein are also contemplated by the inventors.

As depicted herein, the user interface comprises headset 160, controlinput 165 and digital signal processor (DSP) 170. It is noted that otherprocessing circuitry suitable for use in performing the relevant userinterface functions as described herein are also contemplated by theinventors.

As depicted herein, the radio frequency output processing circuitrycomprises radio frequency synthesizer 126, radio frequency amplifier127, radio frequency oscillator 125 and radio frequency circulator (ordiplexer) 121. It is noted that other radio frequency output processingconfigurations suitable for use in performing the relevant radiofrequency output processing functions as described herein are alsocontemplated by the inventors.

The antenna 110 may comprises a directional antenna configured toprovide increasing gain to the received radio frequency signal as theantenna is directed toward the unmanned vehicle. The antenna maycomprise, illustratively, a hand-held or man-portable parabolic antenna,helical antenna, Yagi-Uda antenna and/or a phased array antenna. Thedirectional antenna 110 may include one or more optional modules such asa position module 112 configured to determine antenna position ororientation (e.g., location such as global Positioning System (GPS)location, XYZ orientation such as indicative of currentdirection/elevation and/or other position related information), a videocapture module 114 (e.g., to capture still or moving imagery associatedwith direction antenna is pointed and/or surrounding area) and interface116 (e.g., to communication position, direction and/or image informationto a control system.

Various embodiments contemplate an antenna with user-adjustabledirectionality such as a wide angle vs. narrow angle (e.g., “telephotolens”) adjustment with or without a camera/optical functionality.Specifically, in such embodiments, as a user narrows down thedirection/location of the unmanned vehicle they are further able tonarrow down the directionality of the antenna such that a more accuratelocation of the unmanned vehicle may be determined and, if the userdecides to transmit toward the unmanned vehicle, a more focusedtransmission may be generated thereby such that more power is placedupon the target.

The received radio frequency input signal RF_(IN) is provided by theantenna 110 to filter 122 via radio frequency circulator 121. Filter 122is configured to perform, illustratively, bandpass filtering of receivedsignal to restrict the frequency range to that associated with droneemanations, drone control signals and the like, as well as to reducenoise within a resulting filtered radio frequency signal, which filteredradio frequency signal amplified by radio frequency amplifier 104 andcoupled to radio frequency mixer 124.

radio frequency mixer 124 mixes the filtered/amplified radio frequencysignal received from the radio frequency amplifier 123 with an radiofrequency signal received from radio frequency oscillator 125 to producea down-converted radio frequency signal which is coupled to frequencydivider 130. For example, assuming drone-related radio frequencyinformation comprising 2.4 GHz band radio frequency signaling with afrequency spread of 50-100 MHz, if radio frequency oscillator 125provides a 2.4 GHz signal to the radio frequency mixer, the resultingoutput signal of the radio frequency mixer comprises the 50-100 MHzsignaling information, which is then divided from radio frequencyspectrum levels to audio spectrum levels by frequency divider 130 suchas to provide, illustratively, a 1000 to 2000 Hz representation of50-100 MHz signaling information.

Radio frequency oscillator 125 is configured to provide ademodulation/tuning signal for radio frequency mixer 124 portion, aswell as a synthesizer signal for radio frequency synthesizer 126. radiofrequency output module such that the radio frequency output signalcomprises a carrier frequency having modulated thereon a signalconforming to a spectral envelope associated with the one or morespectral regions associated with unmanned vehicle control signals. Theradio frequency output module may be configured for generating a radiofrequency output signal in response to at least one of an IF signal andan audio frequency signal, wherein the radio frequency output signal isconfigured for transmission toward the unmanned vehicle via the antennato thereby interfere with the unmanned vehicle control signals.

Once the drone-related radio frequency emanation/signaling informationis reduced to corresponding audio range emanation/signal, one or more ofthe following audio processing modules may be used, in any order, toperform various audio processing functions upon the corresponding audiorange emanation/signal prior to the signal being directed to a headset160, recorder 150 or digital signal processor (DSP) 170. An audio filter141 may be used to remove extreme high or low frequency components(e.g., “screeching,” “rumbling” and/or other unwanted audio artifacts).An audio equalizer 142 may be used to emphasize and/or deemphasizevarious audible tones or components of the drone-related audioinformation. In particular, the audio equalizer 142 may be used torebalance the drone-related audio range emanation/signal to improveclarity, uniqueness, audio balance and/or other characteristics (e.g.,where different tones are relatively quiet or loud and a balancing ofthe tones is desired). That is, different tones may be emphasized ordeemphasized to provide a more balanced audio signature or “voice”associated with the initially received drone-related radio frequencyemanation/signaling information. An auto-tuner 144 may take differenttones or components thereof from the audio signal and assign thesetones/components to appropriate spectral bins to generate therebyspectral histograms and the like, such as for subsequent automatedprocessing of the audio. Audio amplifier 144 may be used to modify theprocessed audio signal for use by a headset 160, recorder 150 and/or DSP170.

Generally speaking, the audio processing module comprises audiofrequency adaptation components configured to adjust a spectral profileof an audio output signal derived from the drone-related radio frequencyemanation/signaling information (e.g., a spectral “signature” of aunmanned vehicle). The audio processing module may comprise at least oneof an audio filter configured to limit a spectral range of the audiofrequency signal, an audio equalizer configured to adjust power levelsof each of a plurality of spectral regions and an audio amplifier. Theaudio frequency adaptation components may further comprise an auto-tunemodule configured to shift individual frequency components to a closestconfigured frequency range or bin, such as represented by a statisticalsampling of frequencies arranged as a plurality of frequency bins whereeach bin represents a subset of the entire range of sampled frequencies.In this manner, a spectral profile may be formed and/or augmented withspectral bin information.

The headset 160 may be used by war fighter to listen to audio rangeemanations/signals corresponding to drone-related radio frequencyemanations/signals to enable rapid identification and response to knownthreats. Further, the war fighter may use a control input 165 toinitiate various countermeasures as will be discussed in more detailbelow.

The recorder 150 may be used to record the audio rangeemanations/signals corresponding to drone-related radio frequencyemanations/signals to enable study of the various signals so that theaudio signature or voice associated with various drones and, morebroadly, drone-related threat situations may be better understood andincorporated into subsequent training and evaluation programs. Forexample, each of a plurality of different drones is associated with arespective audio signature or voice. A received/recorded audio signatureor voice may be different depending upon the type of drones, number ofdrones and so on included within a threat package and it is desirable tofully understand each threat package to the maximum extent possible.Further, evolving countermeasures might be such that thereceived/recorded audio signature or voice of different drones maychange over time as control methodologies, uplink protocols and the likevary. Further, radio frequency emanations from a drone may change overtime as the drone is subject to normal wear and tear. Various otherchanges with respect to receive/recorded audio suture or voiceinformation are contemplated by the inventors.

Various embodiments contemplate that the recorder 150 is used to locallystore some or all of the time-history of the received signals such thatthe stored signals may be used to generate a jamming signal even whenthe received signal fades out due to terrain or orientation of theunmanned vehicle. These embodiments find particular utility within thecontext of using a bistatic collection scheme as described herein sincethe received signal strength will depend on the orientation of thevehicle. Thus, in various embodiments the recorder 150 may be configuredto record one or more of time stamp information, location information,received radio frequency signal characterizing information, output radiofrequency signal characterizing information, antenna orientation,unmanned vehicle direction information, unmanned vehicle control channelinformation and unmanned vehicle non-control-channel information, videoinformation pertaining to the unmanned vehicle, encryption informationpertaining to unmanned vehicle control signaling, GPS information, localtime information and/or any other information generated by or receivedby the system described herein.

The DSP 170 may be used to provide automated processing ofreceived/recorded audio signature or voice information to provide rapidmachine-based threat evaluation and response selection. The DSP 170 maybe operably coupled to the control input 165 to activate countermeasuresin a manual, semiautonomous or fully autonomous manner. The DSP 170 maybe included within user interface circuitry as depicted in FIG. 1, orwithin other equipment communicatively coupled to the system 100 of FIG.1.

In various embodiments, the directional antenna 110 may be utilized tolocate a drone by having a warfighter/user vary the direction andinclination of the antenna to scan the surrounding area and airspace. Inthis embodiment, an increasing volume level received by the user via theheadset 160 and associated with an audio signature or voice of apotentially threatening drone abused by the war fighter to quickly andaccurately pinpoint the location of the drone or drones. In variousembodiments, the controller 155 includes further circuitry designed togenerate countermeasure signals suitable for transmission toward thedrone via the directional antenna 110. Such countermeasure signals mayinclude spoofed control signals, jamming signals and the like.

Various embodiments contemplate a directional antenna, such as aparabolic antenna, mounted on a primary weapons platform or system suchas a rifle, electronic countermeasures platform and the like such thatmanual direction-find (DF) procedures associated with determining alocation of an unmanned vehicle result in at least a general targetingof the unmanned vehicle by the primary weapons platform or electroniccountermeasures platform.

Various embodiments contemplate that the electronics, user interfaceand/or other portions of the system 100 of FIG. 1 may be mounted withina handle of a directional antenna.

FIG. 2 depicts a flow diagram of a method according to an embodiment.Specifically, FIG. 2 depicts a method 200 of receiving and processingradio frequency information associated with one or unmanned vehiclessuch as described above with respect to FIG. 1.

At step 210, radio frequency signals associated with one or moreunmanned vehicles are received, such as via antenna 110. It is noted thereceived radio frequency signals include various properties and/orcharacteristics associated with or otherwise indicative of unmannedvehicle emanations, unmanned vehicle control signaling and the like.

At step 220, the received radio frequency signals are converted intoaudio frequency (AF) signals such as via the radio frequency inputprocessing circuitry described above, wherein the audio frequencysignals include various properties and/or characteristics correspondingto those of the unmanned vehicle emanations, unmanned vehicle controlsignaling and the like of the received radio frequency signals.

At step 230, the audio frequency signals are processed such that thevarious properties and/or characteristics corresponding to those of theunmanned vehicle emanations, unmanned vehicle control signaling and thelike are enhanced and/or otherwise rendered audible in a mannerfacilitating detection/discrimination of unmanned vehicle-relatedinformation by a warfighter/user, such as via the audio processingcircuitry described above. As noted with respect to box 235, suchprocessing may include spectral processing, temporal processing,bandpass filtering and other filtering, frequency equalizationfunctions, autotune functions as well as other functions.

At step 240, one or more audible output signals are generated based uponthe processed audio frequency signals and configured to enable a user toaudibly ascertain unmanned vehicle-related information, such as via theaudio processing circuitry described above. As noted with respect to box245, such audible output signals are modified in terms of pitch, timbre,duration and/or other properties such that the unmanned vehicle-relatedinformation may be discernible to the warfighter/user. In variousembodiments, the properties of a generated audible output signalcorrelate with properties of the received radio frequency signal suchthat a user can audibly ascertain a direction of travel,position/location and so on associated with one or more unmannedvehicles. In various embodiments, the properties of the generatedaudible output signal correlate with properties of the received radiofrequency signal such that a user can audibly ascertain at least one ofa location and direction of travel of one or more additional unmannedvehicles. In various embodiments, the properties of the audio signalcomprise at least one of pitch, timbre and duration.

At step 250, unmanned vehicle-related information is optionally recordedand/or transmitted, such as via the recorder 150, user interface andother circuitry as described above. Referring to box 255, such unmannedvehicle-related information may comprise antenna position, antennadirection, location of one or more unmanned vehicles, velocity of one orunmanned vehicles, characteristics associated with unmanned vehicleradio frequency emanations, characteristics associated with unmannedvehicle control signal(s) and/or other information.

At step 260, one or more countermeasure radio frequency signals aregenerated and transmitted, such as via radio frequency output processingcircuitry and antenna 110.

The various embodiments represent a major improvement in relation to thestate of the art. The key advantages of this invention are that it canbe effective against relevant threats, requires minimal user training,is small, lightweight, and man portable, and leverages the users' mentalcapacity for sensing and identifying threats that has been developedover a lifetime. It also has the potential to enable a more responsiveelectronic attack decision loop and minimize electronic fratricide. Itcan be used to distinguish enemy from friendly operated systems evenconsisting of the same type of hardware. This invention is important tothe Air Force mission as it will help protect installations anddismounted forces from improvised drone attacks. It is anticipated thatin addition to Air Force applications there will also be a commercialdemand.

FIG. 3 depicts a high-level block diagram of a computing device, such asa DSP or other controller in a system according to the variousembodiments described herein to the figures. In particular, any of thevarious functional entities described herein may be implemented inaccordance with a general computing device structure such as describedherein with respect to FIG. 3.

As depicted in FIG. 3, computing device 300 includes a processor element302 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU) or other suitableprocessor(s)), a memory 304 (e.g., random access memory (RAM), read onlymemory (ROM), and the like), a cooperating module/process 305, andvarious input/output devices 306 (e.g., communications modules, networkinterface modules, receivers, transmitters and the like) such as a dataport operative to enable data transfer between the apparatus and variouscommunications devices.

It will be appreciated that the functions depicted and described hereinmay be implemented in hardware or in a combination of software andhardware, e.g., using a general purpose computer, one or moreapplication specific integrated circuits (ASIC), or any other hardwareequivalents. In one embodiment, the cooperating process 305 can beloaded into memory 304 and executed by processor(s) 302 to implement thefunctions as discussed herein. Thus, cooperating process 305 (includingassociated data) can be stored on a computer readable storage medium,e.g., RAM memory, magnetic or optical drive or diskette, and the like.

It will be appreciated that computing device 300 depicted in FIG. 3provides a general architecture and functionality suitable forimplementing functional elements described herein or portions of thefunctional elements described herein.

It is contemplated that some of the steps discussed herein may beimplemented within hardware, for example, as circuitry that cooperateswith the processor to perform various method steps. Portions of thefunctions/elements described herein may be implemented as a computerprogram product wherein computer instructions, when processed by acomputing device, adapt the operation of the computing device such thatthe methods or techniques described herein are invoked or otherwiseprovided. Instructions for invoking the inventive methods may be storedin tangible and non-transitory computer readable medium such as fixed orremovable media or memory, or stored within a memory within a computingdevice operating according to the instructions.

Various modifications may be made to the systems, methods, apparatus,mechanisms, techniques and portions thereof described herein withrespect to the various figures, such modifications being contemplated asbeing within the scope of the invention. For example, while a specificorder of steps or arrangement of functional elements is presented in thevarious embodiments described herein, various other orders/arrangementsof steps or functional elements may be utilized within the context ofthe various embodiments. Further, while modifications to embodiments maybe discussed individually, various embodiments may use multiplemodifications contemporaneously or in sequence, compound modificationsand the like.

Although various embodiments which incorporate the teachings of thepresent invention have been shown and described in detail herein, thoseskilled in the art can readily devise many other varied embodiments thatstill incorporate these teachings. Thus, while the foregoing is directedto various embodiments of the present invention, other and furtherembodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from thebasic scope thereof. As such, the appropriate scope of the invention isto be determined according to the claims.

While the present invention has been illustrated by a description of oneor more embodiments thereof and while these embodiments have beendescribed in considerable detail, they are not intended to restrict orin any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail.Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to thoseskilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is thereforenot limited to the specific details, representative apparatus andmethod, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly,departures may be made from such details without departing from thescope of the general inventive concept.

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus supporting rapid assessment of anunmanned vehicle by a user, comprising: an antenna, for receiving aradio frequency signal associated with one or more unmanned vehicles,the radio frequency signal having at least one radio frequency signalproperty; a radio frequency input module, for converting the radiofrequency signal into a corresponding audio frequency signal; and anaudio processing module, for processing the corresponding audiofrequency signal to provide an audible output signal having at least oneaudible output signal property, further configured to generate theaudible output signal through an output device, wherein at least oneaudible output signal property correlates with at least one radiofrequency signal property such that the user can audibly ascertain thelocation of an unmanned vehicle, the unmanned vehicle being capable ofreceiving at least one unmanned vehicle control signal; wherein theaudio processing module comprises frequency adaptation componentsconfigured to adjust a spectral profile of the audio output signal;wherein the frequency adaptation components comprise at least one of anaudio filter configured to limit a spectral range of the correspondingaudio frequency signal, an audio equalizer configured to adjust powerlevels of each of a plurality of spectral regions and an audioamplifier; wherein the radio frequency input module includes a radiofrequency demodulator configured to extract an intermediate frequencysignal associated with one or more spectral regions associated withunmanned vehicle control signals, and a frequency divider configured togenerate the audio frequency signal using the intermediate frequencysignal; and also comprising a radio frequency output module, forgenerating a radio frequency output signal in response to thecorresponding audio frequency signal, the radio frequency output signalbeing configured for transmission toward the first unmanned vehicle, viathe antenna to interfere with at least one unmanned vehicle controlsignal; and further comprising a radio frequency oscillator configuredto provide a demodulation tuning frequency for the radio frequency inputmodule and a synthesizer frequency for the radio frequency output modulesuch that the radio frequency output signal comprises a carrierfrequency having modulated thereon a signal conforming to a spectralenvelope associated with the one or more spectral regions associatedwith at least one unmanned vehicle control signal.
 2. The apparatus ofclaim 1, wherein at least one audible output signal property correlateswith at least one radio frequency signal property such that the user canaudibly ascertain a direction of travel of the unmanned vehicle.
 3. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one audible output signalproperty correlates with at least one radio frequency signal propertysuch that the user can audibly ascertain a global positioning system(GPS) position of the unmanned vehicle.
 4. The apparatus of claim 1,wherein at least one audible output signal property correlates with atleast one radio frequency signal property such that the user can audiblyascertain at least one of a location and direction of travel of one ormore additional unmanned vehicles.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, whereinat least one audible output signal property comprises at least one ofpitch, timbre and duration.
 6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theantenna is a directional antenna configured to provide increasing gainto the radio frequency signal as the antenna is directed toward theunmanned vehicle.
 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein the antennacomprises any of a hand-held parabolic antenna, helical antenna,Yagi-Uda antenna and a phased array antenna.
 8. The apparatus of claim7, wherein the antenna includes an angle adjustment capability.
 9. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the frequency adaptation componentsfurther comprise an auto-tune module configured to shift individualfrequency components to a closest configured frequency bin.
 10. Theapparatus of claim 1, wherein the radio frequency output module isoperative to forward the radio frequency output signal to the antenna inresponse to a trigger signal.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10, furthercomprising at least one of a radio frequency circulator and a diplexerfor coupling the forwarded radio frequency output signal to the antenna.12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a radio frequencyoutput module, for generating a radio frequency output signal inresponse to at least one of the radio frequency signal and the audiofrequency signal, the radio frequency output signal being configured fortransmission toward the unmanned vehicle via the antenna to interferewith at least one unmanned vehicle control signal.
 13. The apparatus ofclaim 1, further comprising a user interface comprising a presentationdevice and a parabolic antenna mounted to a primary weapon system. 14.The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a recorder configured torecord at least one of the audio frequency signal and the audio outputsignal.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the recorder is furtherconfigured to record one or more of time stamp information, locationinformation, received radio frequency signal characterizing information,output radio frequency signal characterizing information, antennaorientation, unmanned vehicle direction information, unmanned vehiclecontrol channel information and unmanned vehicle non-control-channelinformation.
 16. The apparatus of claim 15, wherein the recorder isfurther configured to record one or more of video information pertainingto the unmanned vehicle, encryption information pertaining to unmannedvehicle control signaling, GPS information and local time information.17. The apparatus of claim 14, further comprising a network interfaceconfigured to communicate with a network, the network interface beingoperatively coupled to the recorder to transmit information storedtherein.
 18. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is housedwithin a handle portion of a portable parabolic antenna.
 19. Theapparatus of claim 18, wherein the apparatus further comprises a dataport operative to enable data transfer between the apparatus and acommunications device.